UNJustice message

At a time when the United Nations is playing a decisive role in coping with world problems which affect the lives of millions of people, fair play - a combination of observance of the rules, respect for the defenceless, and prevention of adverse behaviour - is the condition under which human cooperation becomes both possible and necessary. With a view to this, to help these essential features cross the arbitrary and artificial barriers to realize the UN's potential as a positive force in the world, UNJustice devotes itself to no other task with more dedication than to the very task it got its name from: encouraging fair play in the United Nations system of administration of justice.

 

Massive leak of U.N. confidential reports. Lack of due process threatens the Organization's ability to achieve its objectives

4 February 2009

Wikileaks, the organization that publishes submissions and leaks of sensitive governmental or corporate documents, has recently published over 600 UN auditing reports.

According to Wikileaks staff writers, the reports expose matters from allegations of hundreds of peace-keepers sexually abusing refugee girls to generals using bank accounts to engage in multi-million dollar fraud against the UN.

The contents of all the 614 oversight reports include:

   Strictly Confidential Investigation Case Reports [58 reports]

   Strictly Confidential Procurement Task Force Reports, 2006-2007 [18 reports]

   Strictly Confidential Kosovo Corruption Reports [17 reports].

The reports are accessible here.

UNJustice is alarmed by the results of UN-OIOS’ risk assessment of the Department of Management. In particular, in the Administration of Justice, the Internal Audit Division evaluated the likelihood risk that “Due process could be compromised as a result of attempting to clear the backlog of cases during 2009 before the new system of administration of justice is implemented effectively in January 2009” as likely. According to the Division’s definitions, ‘likely’ is attributed if “Conditions within our environment indicate that an event is expected to occur in most circumstances”.

Lack of due process is not just a violation of human rights but risks having a significant impact on the Organization’s operational and reputational capacity. 

The Department of Management should use the results of the OIOS’ risk assessment to put in place all measures necessary to grant full due process rights to all parties under its jurisdiction.